Gluten Intolerance

January 11, 2010 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
 

An increasing number of people are discovering that they are adversely affected by various kinds foods. Recently, there has been a growing public awareness of food intolerances, and allergies in general which cause chronic pain from stomach upsets, muscle cramps or joint pains, nausea and vomiting, constipation, irritable bowel, etc. Among the many food intolerances and allergies, Gluten Intolerance has become one the most common problems faced by people. It is also known as Celiac disease. Gluten intolerance is a genetic disorder that makes you intolerant to gluten. Gluten is the elastic, rubbery protein that is found in wheat, rye, barley and to a lesser degree in oats. It helps in binding the dough in foods including bread and other baked goods. However, many people suffering form gluten intolerance remain largely undiagnosed and suffer unnecessarily as they do not have enough information on the symptoms and disorders that can be caused by food intolerances. Today there are a number of online sites that provide all the information and knowledge regarding gluten intolerance, which helps you to have a better idea whether you or someone you know might be affected.

 

These websites also provide you information on different types of food intolerances. They also give you information on the various symptoms of gluten intolerance and a number of treatments to get rid of this kind of a food intolerance and allergy. These sites focus mostly on intolerances and allergies applicable to other foods as well. They also provide you with high quality laboratory testing that help with accurate, timely and dependable test results for determining the various kinds of foods and chemicals that cause gluten intolerance win individuals. They provide test results over a number of foods, food additives, food colorings, environmental chemicals and molds. They also offer you with appropriate advice in choosing a test panel that is best suited for you and also assist you with all kinds of related questions before or after taking the test. Diagnosis of gluten intolerance usually involves blood tests and may include a biopsy of the small intestine.

 

The best treatment to overcome gluten intolerance successfully is by completely removing all forms of gluten from the diet. This includes avoiding breads, cereals, cookies and all other types of foods or other products with wheat, barley or rye as an ingredient. It is also important to avoid some beers, lipsticks, postage stamps, medications and vitamins. In order to overpower your gluten intolerance problem successfully, these websites offer gluten-free diets, products and ideas to help make it easier and tastier for individuals to thrive on a gluten-free diet. They also provide you with tips on following a gluten free diet, exercises, and also how to diagnose a gluten intolerance problem. They also offer a wide range of products that are supported by nutritional consulting and quality client service support. They also offer a number of gluten-free recipes. Some of these websites also have a 24X7 Customer Care Team who can give you all the information on gluten intolerance related problems and How to avoid its effects.

 

 

Gluten Intolerance – For over 20 years, the ALCAT Test has provided both patients as well as healthcare professionals with a tool to successfully overcome a wide variety of conditions which result from chemical intolerance and food sensitivity.

 

 



By: calistastacy

About the Author:

calista.stacy@gmail.com



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Food Intolerances: What are the Symptoms of Food Intolerance and What Tests are Available?

November 24, 2009 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Do you regularly feel discomfort or bloating after eating certain foods? Is your life disrupted with constant cycles of constipation and diarrhoea, with your insides feeling raw? Does your skin regularly feel irritated or your joints sore? Do you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines? All these health issues can be symptoms of a food intolerance, or at least a contributing factor.

While less than 2% of the population suffer from food allergies, it is estimated that more than 20% of the population suffer from food intolerance. Food intolerances can affect anyone at any age, (we commonly work with children who have an intolerance to food) but since symptoms often occur some time after the food has been eaten it can be difficult to find the problem food. Years of research has found the basis of what causes allergy and food intolerance. Poor digestion causes your immune system to begin to attack partially digested components within the food that “leak” through the intestine and can migrate around the body. Sometimes that partially digested components lodge in the intestinal wall, sometimes in a membrane around a joint or even the brain. Antibodies quickly find these components and indicate to the rest of the bodies and this triggers the immune system and causes inflammation. Inflammation causes irritation: soreness, pain and swelling

There are many techniques that have been developed through the years to determine food intolerances. Some techniques were developed before scientists discovered the immune response, for example muscle reflex testing, and acupuncture. These techniques increasingly use electronic signal processors to improve their accuracy. However, these techniques can be still be compared to using a piece of seaweed for weather prediction. It takes someone with extremely good powers of judgement to understand a muscle reflex or voltage change due to a food sample being contacted with the skin. We often meet with patients who have been tested and told they are intolerance to a wide range of staple foods, fruit and vegetables. Their symptoms can improve sometimes but they often end up with a very unbalanced diet.

A more modern and clinically proven technique looks at the root cause of the food intolerance symptoms, the immune system. Indeed, a clinical trial of immune system tests found that most people with IBS that avoided the foods suggested by an immune test had their symptoms significantly improved. These tests do need a blood sample. With the right training, blood sampling is virtually painless and takes a few seconds. A sterile finger pricker lances the skin and a blood drop appears. The drop is collected and that is that, you don’t really need a dressing and its hard to see where the blood came from a minute later. That small blood sample is taken and the levels of the antibody determined by a laboratory. Some tests need to be sent away (york test). Our specialist practice in Inverness has a small lab where the tests can be done whilst you wait (

food intolerance testing inverness), taking less than one hour. The food intolerance test results are very unambiguous and can be used to guide an elimination diet with some certainty.

The immune (blood) testing is a lot more accurate than the old fashioned ways of testing. Sometimes people go through the mill, completely unnecessarily.

A patient (Mr. M.) came to us with a huge list of things he was told to not eat by an electronic muscle reflex test. He was an active young male who was told to avoid all grains, milk, nuts and yeast. He was suffering from rhinitis (blocked nose that would not go away) and had followed his food avoidance diet based on the electronic results and his symptoms had still not got any better. A big issue for him was that he used to like going out with his friends to go for pizza and have a few beers. He had lost a lot of weight and felt hungry all the time because of his active job.

I blood tested him and found that he gave a very weak positive result to oats and yeast (so weak it took imagination to see the positive blue spot on the test plate). So he had put up with not being able to go get a pizza, not being able to pop out for a sandwich at lunchtime and spent a lot his time being starving (active outdoor job in Scotland – you need food!!) for no particular reason at all.

So he is now back onto a balanced diet again and can enjoy a beer this Christmas.

If you have been electronically tested and given a big list of foods that you are intolerant to, it might be a good idea to get a second test done somewhere else perhaps by the immune method and compare the results.



By: Dr Richard Day

About the Author:

Dr. Richard Day Bsc.

www.food-intolerance-test.co.uk



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All About Food Intolerance

November 23, 2009 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
All About Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is becoming much more of a household phrase these days.  For those who haven’t thought about it much or never had a reason to look into it, this is a basic guide to what it is, what some of the most common intolerances are, and some other related information.

Food intolerances can come from a variety of sources.  For example, some people can’t tolerate citrus fruits or other acidic foods. The food intolerances that trouble most people are chemicals (such as aspartame or preservatives), natural compounds (like caffeine), wheat and gluten, and, of course, lactose.

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish a food intolerance from a food allergy. Their symptoms can be quite similar, but actually they are completely different bodily responses. A food intolerance is a digestive system problem.

If you have a food intolerance, you might experience headaches, gastrointestinal problems, or weight gain. (Wine, cheese and chocolate are notorious headache causers.) Gastrointestinal issues can include gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, which are sometimes mistaken for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You might also have allergy-like symptoms such as a runny nose, hives, or difficulty breathing.

Lactose intolerance is one of the most common things people suffer from.  It is caused by a shortage of the lactase enzyme. Instead of digesting lactose normally, people with too little lactase can’t process milk sugars properly. When they consume dairy products, the result is fatigue, nausea, and a host of other digestive problems such as gas and bloating.

How serious is lactose intolerance? Children younger than two are especially susceptible to it. These children often need a special non-dairy formula to ensure proper nutrition. Most adults with lactose intolerance (5% of all adults in Ireland and the UK) can tolerate a tiny amount of dairy in their diets. Others can tolerate none at all.

Though more rare, foods that contain artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavor enhancers, and colors sometimes trigger painful symptoms in people with an intolerance to such substances.

Another very common intolerance is wheat or gluten intolerance. (Gluten is a protein found in wheat.) These conditions have gotten a lot of press lately, and for good reason: gluten intolerance, also called celiac disease in its most serious form, has been linked to behavioral problems, weight gain, and even autism.

Celiac disease is an incurable condition that causes the immune system to attack a person’s own body. In this case, the autoimmune response is triggered by eating foods that contain gluten. Celiac disease can cause all of the symptoms of food intolerance, plus stunted growth and skin conditions. Left unchecked, it can eventually cause bone disease, anemia, and even cancer.

Unfortunately, gluten is found in all wheat products, and even in some products made from barley, rye, and oats. That means that people with gluten intolerance need to avoid certain alcohols, like beer. Wheat can also be found in unexpected places. It’s often used as a filler in ground meat and sausage.  

There are many gluten-free and wheat-free breads, pastas, and cereals – but they’re not created equal. Just because a product is gluten-free doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe for people with wheat intolerance. Gluten-free products can contain other wheat substances. Likewise, wheat-free products might contain barley, rye, or oats.

Basically, people who suffer from a gluten intolerance must become very good label readers!

If you suspect wheat, gluten, or any other intolerance, speak with your doctor as soon as you can. They will make a firm diagnosis and give you dietary guidelines to follow.

There is a great food intolerance test on the market that I would recommend to anyone who thinks they may be affected by one or several food products.  It takes the guesswork out of figuring out what is causing the problem.

Visit http://www.foodintolerancenews.com

If you find out you do have an intolerance, seek nutrition guidance, as when patients attempt to cut out the offending food group, it can cause malnourishment.  For example, some people avoid dairy products altogether because of their lactose intolerance. Without a good substitute, they risk calcium deficiency.



By: Kimberly Buchanan

About the Author:

Kimberly Buchanan has been interested and involved in various aspects of the health industry for over 10 years. She has personal experience with food intolerances and allergies as well as experience helping others discover the cause of and cure for their own intolerances, allergies, and other health related ailments (eg vitamin deficiency, weight gain).



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Food Intolerances in Dogs

November 21, 2009 by mbelcher · 2 Comments
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Food intolerances, defined as a dog inability to digest a certain kind of dog food, are far more common in dogs than food allergies. Compare dog food intolerances to allergies: only 10% to 12% of the canine population has allergies while up to 50% could suffer from an intolerance. Nearly half of all dogs are unable to stomach a certain kind of food and could become sick within half an hour of consuming it.

There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with canine and feline allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.

While milk is not necessary to a dog diet, it can be a treat if given from time to time. However, some dogs cannot tolerate milk because they do not produce an enzyme called lactase. Lactase helps with the digestion of lactose, which is found in milk. After weaning, the level of lactase activity falls to about 10 per cent of its peak activity. In some animals, diarrhea will occur if more lactose (i.e. milk) is consumed than the pet can digest. This is called “lactose intolerance”. On the contrary, in dogs that are able to tolerate it, milk can be an excellent source of protein and calcium.

A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years. Closely monitoring your dog diet is the best way to manage an intolerance. Vitamins and minerals are essential in maintaining tissue and are required for energy. Every time you feed your dog food that he or she cannot stomach, your dog is missing out on these necessary nutrients.

Most dogs do best with a varied diet. Variety helps keep immune systems strong and maintain good health. It also may help prevent food intolerance, obesity, allergies and other problems. Variety may also protect a dog from nutrient deficiencies not yet discovered by science. Many people provide variety by first feeding a dry food that matches the dietary requirements of the breed, age, activity level and overall health. Then they rotate high quality canned or raw foods for protein from a variety of sources.

It is important to identify an intolerance as soon as possible. There are several ingredients in commercial and natural dog food and any one of them could be the cause of the problem. Often there is information in the latest dog food reviews that can help you find a healthy alternative for your dog.

If your dog intolerance is caused by a common ingredient, then you will need to read labels extra carefully before feeding your dog anything. Management of dog food intolerances is relatively simple once the root of the problem is identified.



By: Alan Low

About the Author:

I have studied the topic of dog allergies for about ten years. My goal is to help the dog owners to have better understanding of the treatment options in treating dog allergies. Find out more information about food allergies in dogs at my site.



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Histame Is The New Food Intolerance Cure

November 20, 2009 by mbelcher · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS 
Many people suffer from food intolerances. With a wide-array of symptoms, it is no wonder that many people are not even aware that they have food intolerances. In our fast-paced society, we can consume such a wide range of foods over the course of the day that it can be difficult for an individual to determine any specific cause.

Histamine-rich foods and substances are responsible for many food intolerances. In general, the higher the levels of histamine present in foods, the greater the manifestation of food sensitivities and food intolerance symptoms for the individual.

Histame is a digestive supplement that has recently been approved for use in the United States. It is the first world-wide product that replenishes the body’s natural food enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO), which is responsible for reducing histamine levels that cause food intolerance symptoms. It has been used in Europe by hundreds of thousands of people, who consider it a food intolerance cure. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledged the dietary supplement by Naturally Vitamins, the Diamine Oxidase Enzyme.

Some of the most delicious food in the world just happens to be histamine-rich. As an example of a histamine-rich setting, consider an elegant mixer that could be thrown by the makers of Histame. There is sure to be cheeses and processed meats such as salami and ham adorning well-presented trays. For beverages, there could likely be red, white, sparkling, wine and beer in responsible quantities. Smoked fish would perhaps be accompanied by tomato herring and mushroom anchovy hors d’oeuvres. Finally, there would naturally be a fruit sculpture with strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, mango, pears and raspberries fashioned into a tasteful and flavorful representation of the histamine molecule. Naturally, everyone would have a great time and feel excellent afterward because they would sensibly have Histame to replenish any deficiencies of DOA for those with food sensitivities or food intolerances. Although this is a fictional example, all of the foods mentioned are considered histamine-rich and should be considered only a partial list.

The histamine levels in foods fluctuate based on the freshness of foods. In general, the longer food is stored or left to ripen, the greater the histamine levels become. For example, fresh fish and meat are typically very low in histamine; however, if they are smoked or processed then the histamine levels increase.

Without Histame individuals with food intolerances could suffer from a variety of symptoms including minor abdominal cramps, headache, flatulence, diarrhea, occasional constipation or skin rash to name a few. Histame is clinically shown that if it is used as a dietary supplement that it regulates the histamine levels in the lower intestine. There is a large variety of foods that individuals no longer have to avoid in order to get around the symptoms of food intolerance thanks to Histame.



By: Daniel Marcus Manson

About the Author:

Histame is a dietary supplement used to regulate DAO, which causes food sensitivities and food intolerance symptoms. Considered by many to be the food intolerance cure, Histame is now available in the United States and offers hope to millions of people who suffer from histamine food intolerance.



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